Dive the U.S.S. Spiegel Grove Shipwreck

At 510 feet in length, the navy’s U.S.S. Spiegel Grove is the second largest shipwreck in the United States. However, most divers consider it to be the premier shipwreck to dive in all the United States, because of the pristine condition of the vessel, tropical location (Key Largo, FL), warm water 74-90 F degrees, outstanding visibility (up to 120 feet), and exciting sea life. The ship was intentionally sunk for the purposes of creating an artificial reef and recreational dive site. It is now one of the world’s best recreational dive sites!
This U.S. Navy vessel sits upright in the sand, with only a 4 foot difference between the bow and stern. Maximum depth is 140 feet, but the main deck and all of the super-structure is located at a depth of only 85 feet. So whether you are a professional or recreational diver this is the wreck for you!
Aqua Sports, Inc. an "Elite SCUBA & Rescue Training Institute" and the nation's leader in Shipwreck Specialty certification courses.
The Aqua Sports, Inc. professional dive staff escorts small groups of no more than six divers to the Spiegel every a month to experience this underwater wonder.
Our professional shipwreck specialty instructor will act as your personal tour guide, and our award-winning, published, underwater photographer will create a complete photo album of you diving the U.S.S. Spiegel grove (approximately 50 high resolution photos and mpeg video of YOU).
Find out why Sport Diver Magazine has called Aqua Sports, Inc. “One of the finest dive training operations in the United States,” and experience why Sport Diver Magazine chose Aqua Sports, Inc. to train their staff in Shipwreck Specialty!
Join us for this exciting dive adventure.
INCLUDES: professional dive instruction and underwater guide, shipwreck diving review, 2 tank trip or 4 tank trip, rental of all required equipment, tanks, weights, underwater photo album of you diving the U.S.S. Spiegel Grove, snacks, beverages, towels, and sunblock. Transportation to and from Key Largo, FL available from Broward County, Dade County, and Key Largo.

For More Information:
Jillian Morris
Instructor
Web: www.AquaSportsInc.com
Email: JillianMorris@AquaSportsInc.com
Telephone: 954-200-2899

Thanks for the info. We are heading down there just after Thanksgiving. I am going to check out your site and get back to you with any questions I may have.

I live & dive in Key Largo off my own Boat. I have about 85 dives in and on this wreck, and every dive is still exciting to me. As you know Hurricane Dennis uprighted the huge ship as it was laying on it's side after being sunk. It now stands perfectly upright and is an awesome dive. Visibility is rarely 100ft I think I saw 100 ft 2 times 40 is average 60-70 is a good day 100 is exceptional. I have been exploring underneath this wreck, that's right underneath - the currents have eroded about 12 ft deep swim through under the ship, in fact I am wondering if in the next hurricane it will go over again. When the ship was first uprighted, only about 1 ft of the props were sticking out of the sand, now if you see my photos the sand is eroded away way down approx. 12 ft of sand has been washed away from the bottom of this wreck. I used to max out at 132 ft, now I can get to 145 ft no problem. Well is an awesome dive, let me know if anyone is going to dive it, I may have some information that would make your dive experience better.

Mike

I am heading down there at the end of next month! Maybe you want the company af 2 seaconed NJ Wreck Divers (READ- gas $$) on your boat when we are down there?

Let me know and we can talk more about it.

Well, sounds interesting. End of next month, OK water will be getting cold about 78 F end of November Brrrrrrr, I'm in a 3 mm now and the Temp is 83, When I started diving winter 2005, I used to laugh at everybody in a wet suit and the water was 76 F. I was from California where the water never got to 76, 70-72 maybe for 2 weeks end of Aug. Now I've become acclimatized, and water starts to feel cold at about 83 ( 3 mm) and really cold at 76 ( 5 mm ) And last winter I only dove 2 times from December to end of April. But I'm sure being from NJ the water will feel warm to you.
I would consider taking you out diving, providing you be open and honest about your experience. Now I've only been diving for 2-1/2 years, I have logged 184 dives 107 below 100 ft.
Although I've only been diving a short time I am very current, and dive as much as I can. In fact I'm going tomorrow. To the Duane, another must do wreck dive in Key Largo.
So let me know a little about you and your experience, your partner, and perhaps we can do a dive together.

Mike

Thanks, I will send you a PM.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Like2dive

To the Duane, another must do wreck dive in Key Largo.
Mike

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Don't let anyone talk you out of diving the Bibb!

Why is that?

Tell me more, I am leaving the day after tomorrow so as much info as quickly as you can would be great.

I can't wait to see what the warm water feels like. We have been in the upper 40's F on the bottom here lately. They said something like 77 F near West Palm Beach and even warmer in the keys. Funny thing, the folks that are local are wearing 5mm full wetsuits. I think I am going to be perfectly comfortable in my 2mm shorty. Just in case I am bringing my bottom 1/2 of a farmer john 3mm.

ace,
hope you guys have a great time in Florida - and we want a trip report and some lovely pics when you get back as well...

btw, off topic - the waters down here are about 28C/86F :)

Sure thing!

86F!!!! OMG, I would have to get out just to cool off. That is like a bath temp.

well thats what my dive comp said last week..... ;)

The Bibb is the sister ship of the Duane but it's on its side. There is usually a pretty strong current and you'll probably want to stay in the "shadow" of the wreck for most of the dive which will put you in about 110 FSW. You'll want to bring plenty of gas and hope that the boat you're on will allow you to go into deco. Or, you'll just get about a 15 minute dip on it. It rarely gets dove for those reasons.

I dove with these guys: http://www.silentworldkeylargo.com/. They're Brits, just like Lottie, and very nice to do business with:)

Here is my report on my last trip to Key Largo for reference: http://tinyurl.com/3xwr6y

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Originally Posted by lottie

well thats what my dive comp said last week..... ;)

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Oh, I totally know that is what the temps in your area are, I am just saying that is HOT for me!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yohanson

The Bibb is the sister ship of the Duane but it's on its side. There is usually a pretty strong current and you'll probably want to stay in the "shadow" of the wreck for most of the dive which will put you in about 110 FSW. You'll want to bring plenty of gas and hope that the boat you're on will allow you to go into deco. Or, you'll just get about a 15 minute dip on it. It rarely gets dove for those reasons.

I dove with these guys: http://www.silentworldkeylargo.com/. They're Brits, just like Lottie, and very nice to do business with:)

Here is my report on my last trip to Key Largo for reference: http://tinyurl.com/3xwr6y

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Cool, now that is some GREAT info. Sounds like the Bibb is similar to what we see up here in New Jersey, well the water is almost 30 degrees colder and MUCH less viz, but the depth and currents sound the same. It sounds like that is definately a good one to dive on.

Thanks again man!

Dove the "Grove" yesterday. Bottom Temp was 79 F. degrees. Visibility was a poor 40 feet, with a 1/2 knot current. Over all a good dive!

In My opinion, the Bibb is a better wreck than the "Duane". I always enjoy the dives on this wreck.


Both these wrecks are advanced level dives. They are not to be taken lightly! 3 Jersey divers died on the "Grove" this spring, and the fourth barely made it out.

Yohanson, again thanks for the link to Silent World Key Largo, I was at their web site and from the looks of it they are exactly what I am looking for. I will be calling them tomorrow to get additional info.


amtrosie, do you live down there? If so, I have a few questions.

Also do you have any links to what happened with the NJ divers? I am very curious. Anyway, I definately have respect for EVERY dive I do, even the ones I do in the local quarry, because when you forget about being safe is when things will go wrong.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by acelockco

Yohanson, again thanks for the link to Silent World Key Largo, I was at their web site and from the looks of it they are exactly what I am looking for. I will be calling them tomorrow to get additional info.


amtrosie, do you live down there? If so, I have a few questions.

Also do you have any links to what happened with the NJ divers? I am very curious. Anyway, I definately have respect for EVERY dive I do, even the ones I do in the local quarry, because when you forget about being safe is when things will go wrong.

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No problem. They guys that died did so because they were stupid. They did a very difficult penatration with no lines and not nearly enough gas. The penatration they did was on a sealed hatchway that had broken loose when Dennis righted her. It was very narrow and the area silted out so that the strobe they were using was useless. I've done 5 dips on that ship and have penatrated her everytime and have never even come close to that part of the ship. You won't either so don't worry about getting killed on it. What really sucks is that they did it off the Scuba Do, the boat that I did my first two dives on the Grove with. I hear the owner/captain is out of business now. Too bad because he was great to do business with too.